McCLUSKEY CIVIL RIGHTS AUTUMN SCHOOL

The Fourth McCluskey Civil Rights School had to be scheduled for Saturday the 24th September this year, for logistical reasons, and is therefore more an Autumn School than a Summer School.

The theme this year is " Civil Rights for Victims and their families". Many thousands of people have been victims of violence at the hands of violent individuals and violent organisations, and thousands of others have been victims of violence of the hands of the State, State agencies, and even at the hands of the Church and religious organisations. Every single one of them has a right to justice. The Civil Rights School looks at the various means by which their cases might be addressed and justice achieved.

The basic issues affecting all victims will be the subject of the Keynote Address, to be delivered by Mr Brendan McAllister, Northern Ireland Victims Commissioner. The school will then examine the possibility of justice achieved by "Retribution" through the Justice System.

The speakers will include Mr David Ford MLA, Minister for Justice in Northern Ireland, and local Labour TD, Mr Ged Nash.

The School will then move on to examine whether justice is better achieved through "Recall" - of truth about each individual case. Can this be accomplished through official "Commissions of Inquiry", such as the Saville Commission which inquired into the Bloody Sunday killings in Derry, 1972. Or is it better accomplished by the establishment of a Truth Commission as in South Africa, or by setting up a Historical Inquiries Division of the Police Service?

Photo opposite; Mr. Brendan McAllister Victims Commissioner

The Eames-Bradley Report recommended a basic monetary compensation for each individual who was a victim of the troubles. Is "Recompense" the best means of achieving justice? This session will be addressed by Mr Michael Gallagher, the best-known spokesperson for the victims of the Omagh atrocity, and by Mr Willie Frazer, who has spoken on behalf of the Kingsmill victims, and other victims from the Unionist community.

Many victims and their families take the view that it isn't a question of money. Many believe that the most important aspect of justice for them and their families is "Recognition" of the individual dimension of each tragedy. This session will be addressed by John O'Neill, producer of the BBC's acclaimed series -- "Legacy" in which individual victims were able to recount, on radio, their own individual hurt and suffering. The session will also be addressed by Dominic Bradley MLA, who was active in the campaign to achieve justice for the Quinn family in South Armagh.

Photo opposite; Mr David Ford MLA, Minister for Justice

As usual, there is no charge for attendance at the School, which will take place in the Heritage Centre in Carlingford from 9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., though voluntary contributions towards covering expenses would be very welcome.

Tea and coffee will be provided, and a sandwich lunch can be ordered through the organisers during the morning sessions.

It would be helpful to the latter if those intending to come might let the organisers know by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Photo opposite; Labour TD, Mr Ged Nash.

Call us to reserve your place +353 (0)42 9373454/888 or Contact us through our Facebook page Carlingford Heritage Centre